Severe weather developing ahead of the cold front

Unexpectedly severe thunderstorms developed to the west and north of Houston on Monday afternoon, and two tornado warnings were issued (see map).

Tornado warnings.

The tornado warnings expired.

Thunderstorms increased in coverage ahead of a southward-moving cold front due to its interaction with warm, moist air at this boundary.

As a result of the developing storms NOAA issued an updated convective outlook showing a slight chance of this dangerous weather in the Houston area, and a greater chance to the northeast of the region.

Chance of severe weather between now and early tomorrow morning. (NOAA Storm Prediction Center)

The National Weather Service, too, issued a significant weather advisory for much of the Houston metro area, saying dime-sized hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph were possible as these storms developed. The threat of this severe weather is reflected in the map below.

Did any reader/edtior photograph the rainbow that was spoted at 3:15 in the energy coridor? It was absolutly amazing, vibrant rainbow. I was unable to take a photograph, but would love to see a picture posted online.

Saw several rainbows in Baytown and Laporte around 5. Several times I came out of a dark torrential downpour into an area where it was sunny and blue sky overhead but still pouring rain in all directions around it. Like the eye of a hurricane minus the wind. Between the 5 pm sun and the rain drops reflecting the sun it was absolutely blinding, like a whiteout blizzard. Immediately proceeded by a couple of wrecks on 146. Thank goodness I finally found my sunglasses.

Coming off of the Fred Hartman just as the rain stopped briefly, there was an enormous, gorgeous rainbow in Baytown. One of the most brilliant and biggest I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop and snap a shot of it… too much traffic. But is was amazing!

I’d hate to see the Katy jokes go away, but I would like them to be withheld until the poster has one that’s actually funny. For example, on Eric’s entry about the meteor in Russia, Petrushka commented: “I live in Yekaterinburg… should I…” That was hilarious.

Keep safe everyone. Looks like the NWS should expand their map Northwards somewhat. Getting the rain up here now in Illinois then changing over to freezing rain and then snow with below zero wind chills tonight. Makes for slippery roads in AM. Oh well can’t wait until summer. They always say to keep a few flashlights and batteries available, but we recently got a couple of those battery operated lanterns and boy do those put out the light in case of power failure. We’ve also relied on the emergency weather radios instead of waiting for sirens to go off. They are really inexpensive these days and any hardware store has them. Also, if you got dogs or even cats, keep a leash available for them also. We’ve hunkered down numerous times in our hallway and it’s no fun trying to chase a pet around that may get scared. Just loop the leash through its largest point where your hand goes and lasso the critter. Anyway, keep safe and off the roads if possible.

If the southernly winds have been pushing north all day, how can an easterly moving weather mass from the southern states bring any cold weather? We all thought that the region was building up for some spring-like weather? ( just in case, I’m gonna cover up my aloe vera plants!) BYE